Preserving-jacket assembly on plugged inflated playing balls and method of preparing the same



1,713,755 PRESERVING JACKET ASSEMBLY ON PLUGGED INFLATED PLAYI NG May 21, 1929. F. w. GIBSON BALLS AND. METHOD OF PREPARING THE SAME Filed April 19, 1928 gwuentoz 6/560; 351 H mmad; 1/{ 1 Patented May 21, 1929.

,UNITED STATES 755 PATENT. OFFICE.

FREDERICK GIBSON, 0F GHICOPEE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNORTO A. G. SPALDING&

31805., 015 NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

' rnnsnnvrne-mcxnr Application filed April 19,

This invention relates to inflated playing balls of the tennis type in which it is desirable to pack or store the balls in such a manner that the elastic components thereof are at a reduced tension, whereby fatigue is reduced and upon removing the jacket forplay, ball rebound will have not been substantially diminished.

The principal object of the invention determined by the size of the jacket to be apthcrefore is to provide novel means for conveniently reducing the fully inflatedball to a size where its elastic components are under reduced tension, and the jacket assembly so produced.

To this end the invention contemplates the provision of an inflated elastic playing ball which is provided with a self-sealing soft rubber plug on the inside thereof, the finished ball being under superatmospheric pressure. I

A hollow tubular needle of the hypodermic type is then forced through the ball and its plug to deflate the same. A jacket of substantially inextensible fabric, metal, celluloid or like material either in a single or a plurality of pieces is then applied to the collapsed or deflated ball. It is not necessary that the ball be entirely deflated, it only being desired to reduce thesize thereof to the point where its elastic components are under reduced tension. The jacket is of such a size that these conditions will obtain.

Upon securing the inextensible jacket upon the deflated ball, the hollow needle is then inserted through jacket, ball wall and plug and reinflated to the requisite pressure so that when the jacket is removed, the enlarged ball will meet the requirements set out for rebound in the various games of play.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view partly in section of a completed playing ball of the inflated, elastic tennis type showing the self-closing, soft rubber plug. a

Fig. 2 is a similar view of a ball partially or completely deflated by means of a hollow needle passed through the plug.

Fig. 3 is a view of a ball with a jacket secured thereon with a needle passing through jacket and ball ready for-reinflation.

Fig. 4 is a view of a ball after reinflation with the needle aperture in the jacket sealed.

Referring now with particularity to the forms illustrated, Ihave shown at 1 an elas- ASSEMBLY 0N PLUG-GED INFLATED PLAYING- IBALLS AN METHOD OF PREPARING THE SAME 1928. Serial No. 271,345.

ing through the plug 2, the ball may be partially or completely deflated as desired.

The final size of the packaged ball may beplied. That is, by encasingthe deflated ball within a substantially inextensible. jacket such as viscose, celluloid, metal, fabric, or the 7 like, in either a single piece or a plurality of sections, the ball upon reinflation cannot exceed the size of its jacket.

The jacket is shown diagrammatically at .4: consisting conveniently of two hemispherical shells joined together at their meeting edges by a tape 5 or the like. 1

One of the shells is provided with an aperture through which the needle 3 passes, this aperture coincidin in location with the plug 2 through which the needle also passes.

Air or other fluid may then be pumped through the needle to the interior of the ball until the requisite pressure has been reached, This pressure will be determined with regard to the degree of compression and size desired iii the ball when the jacket is removed for p ay.

Upon removing the needle 3 after reinfiation, the plug 2 will automaticall seal the hole, thus preventing escape of the uid. As an added precaution, a drop of sealing sub stance 6 may be applied to the needle aperture in the jacket section. I

From the above it will be seen that upon reinflation, the ball will be restricted to a reduced size by the inextensible jacket so that the elastic components of the ball will be held at a reduced tension. Upon removal of the jacket after storage and for play, the internal fluid will exert itself and the ball-will assume a size within the limits prescribed by the ru les for such balls.

In some instances it may be desirable to cure the ball initially within the restricting jacket, in which case deflation would notbe necessary. Such a procedure could be used where the jacket was of a material unaffected by heat, such as metal.

' I claim:

1. A method of packaging an elastic play-- said deflated ball a strain resisting ac and then reinflating said ball to substantially 16 "its initial inflated condition.

3. A method of-holding a playing ball at a 10 reducedfsize which consists in deflating an infiated ball to the point where .its elastic component is under reduced pressure applying to In testimony whereof, I affix my signature. FREDERICK W; GIBSON. 

